Traumatic Neuroma and Recurrent Lymphadenopathy after Neck Dissection: Comparison of Radiologic Features

Abstract

Several imaging findings can differentiate traumatic neuroma from recurrent lymphadenopathy after neck dissection.

Benign Thyroid and Neck Lesions Mimicking Malignancy with False Positive Findings on Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography

“…Traumatic neuroma is the result of a proliferative and hyperplastic response to nerve injury, usually during a surgical procedure or after trauma (14). The typical symptom of traumatic neuroma is painful hypersensitivity or paresthesia, although asymptomatic patients are not rare.…”

Traumatic Neuroma at the Inferior Mesenteric Artery Stump after Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…1 However, another author asserted that a hyperattenuating rim on CT cannot be used as a differentiating radiologic feature because this feature is observed in both traumatic neuroma and recurrent lymphadenopathy. 2 Traumatic neuroma is currently described as a stable nodule with low attenuation on a contrast-enhanced CT scan that occurs one to 12 months after the clinical setting related to its development, trauma or surgery.…”

“…1,2 The lesion typically arises one to 12 months after transection and exhibits slow or no interval size changes over months to years. 3 This condition was first described by Odier in 1811 in war-wounded veterans with amputated limbs presenting with disabling pain.…”

Sonographic features of traumatic neuromas after neck dissection

“…1 The incidence of the traumatic neuromas after neck dissection is 1.1-2.7%. 2,3 Most patients with traumatic neuromas complain of painful hypersensitivity or paresthesia but asymptomatic neuromas are not rare.…”

“…4 Only a few reports have evaluated the sonographic findings of traumatic neuromas. 1,5,6 Neck sonography is a useful tool for evaluating recurrent or metastasic disease after surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Differentiating a recurrent lymph node from a traumatic neuroma is key to avoiding unnecessary surgery.…”